The Bocelli family has peasant origins. In the 18th century, the Bocellis were sharecroppers on the Spedaletto farm, owned by the Corsini princes.
On March 21, 1831, using up all his savings, Gaspero Bocelli freed himself from serfdom and became a small landowner, acquiring the Podere Poggioncino farm for the sum of 1,000 scudi.
For seven generations, the names of the firstborn sons of the Bocelli family have begun with the letter "A." Like Anselmo, son of Gaspero, who, on January 12, 1867, purchased two hectares of land with buildings (one of which was already used as a tavern) along what is now Via Volterrana for 4,704 lire; like his great-great-grandfather Antonio, like his son Anselmo, like his grandfather Alcide, an electromechanical engineer and inventor; like Alessandro, who, in addition to his eldest son, Andrea (1958), also gave the first letter of the alphabet to Alberto (1961)... And the tradition continues: with Amos, Andrea's eldest son, and Alessio, Alberto's eldest son.
Alcide, a "boy of '99" (as those born in the last year of the 19th century were called, forced—little more than teenagers—to take up arms in the First World War), invented applications for the internal combustion engine for certain agricultural tools, and legend has it that he then sold the patent to a major company. That particular talent saved his life, because thanks to his skills, instead of being sent to the front during the war, he was assigned to the aeronautical workshops to repair aircraft.
Grandfather Alcide put his ingenuity to good use by converting his father's business into an increasingly flourishing agricultural machinery trade. He bought and converted machines, or built them from scratch. This led to the creation of the "Officine Bocelli" business which, together with the agricultural business, provided a livelihood for the family until the 1980s.
Despite his profitable business, Alcide's main passion remained the land. His son Alessandro (born in 1928) inherited not only the company but also a deep love for the fields of his native Tuscany, with its vineyards and centuries-old olive trees. With the invaluable support of his wife, Edi, he managed to expand and diversify both the agricultural and commercial activities during his working life.
The new generation, however, took different paths: Alberto graduated in architecture, Andrea in law, even though his passion for music was becoming increasingly prominent. The parents then decided to sell the business and, following the most ethically correct solution, entrusted it to the young workers who had been employed there.
Upon the death of his father, Alberto, in perfect agreement with Andrea, responsibly took over the reins of the farm and, with the fundamental support of his wife Cinzia, carried on his passion for his land, gradually expanding its boundaries.